Handster repackages Android apps for the BlackBerry PlayBook

One of the main reasons to the slow adoption of the BlackBerry PlayBook has been due to the lack of apps available on the platform. RIM’s promised support for Android apps has yet to arrive, and the fact that it wasn’t too happy about the Dingleberry root (which lets Android apps run on the tablet) meant that the company would have to find another solution in the meantime. Well it turns out that RIM has been working with Opera Software to bring Android apps from their store over to the PlayBook.

Handster, a division of Opera Software has started sending out emails to developers, informing them about their Android apps being published on the BlackBerry App World. According to the email, it looks like developers won’t have to do much – Handster will handle everything, from the verification process, the conversion of APK files, apps signing, and retesting them on the PlayBook. All developers need to do is submit a resized app icon and the updated APK.

Freeware apps can be updated by the Handster team automatically, while premium apps will require developers to email them to the Handster development account. Sounds like good news for PlayBook owners who have been missing out on their favorite Android apps. No word on when we’ll start seeing these repackaged Handster apps, but it shouldn’t be too long now.